Design and optimization of a nano-antenna hybrid structure for solar energy harvesting application

Abstract

A novel hybrid structure with high responsivity and efficiency is proposed based on an L-shaped frame nano-antenna (LSFNA) array for solar energy harvesting application. So, two types of LSFNAs are designed and optimized to enhance the harvesting characteristics of traditional simple electric dipole nano-antenna (SEDNA). The LSFNA geometrical dimensions are optimized to have the best values for the required input impedance at three resonance wavelengths of λ res = 10 μm, 15 μm, and 20 μm. Then the LSFNAs with three different sizes are modeled like a planar spiral-shaped array (PSSA). Also, a fractal bowtie nano-antenna is connected with the PSSA in the array gap. This proposed hybrid structure consists of two main elements: (I) Three different sizes of the LSFNAs with two different material types are designed based on the thin-film metal–insulator–metal diodes that are a proper method for infrared energy harvesting. (II) The PSSA gap is designed based on the electron field emission proposed by the Fowler–Nordheim theory for the array rectification. Finally, the proposed device is analyzed. The results show that the PSSA not only has an averaged 3-time enhancement in the harvesting characteristics (such as return loss, harvesting efficiency, etc.) than the previously proposed structures but also is a multi-resonance wide-band device. Furthermore, the proposed antenna takes up less space in the electronic circuit and has an easy implementation process.